Test anxiety is killing my score!

[ceulczycki]

I'm nearing the end of a Manhattan GMAT class, and think I've come a long way in my comprehension of the material and test readiness. However, when I take the CATs, I end up blanking on several questions and eventually crashing towards the end. I use the OG Archer for homework problems, and my accuracy rate and skill level on correct problems keeps going up.

I took a CAT two weeks ago and cratered on the verbal. Today, I took another CAT and really watched myself on the verbal, but blanked on several quant questions that I should have known. My goal score of 700 is looking less possible every day, and I would even be happy with a 650 at this point. My recent score report shows that my average difficulty of right questions is in the 650-690 range. So what do I need to do differently? I know I need to improve my quant, but how? When I study, I know the material, but when I test, that knowledge seems to evaporate.

[StaceyKoprince]

Stress gets to everyone, to some extent, during this test.

First, give yourself permission to be nervous. We all are.

Second, give yourself permission to blank. We all do. Read this:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... to-win-it/

If you know that this is how the test really works (what that article says), then it's not a big deal when you blank on a question that you really know you should know.

When you're playing a tennis match (for example), you might get momentarily upset with yourself for losing a point that you felt you should have won. But you can't keep beating yourself up about it or you're going to lose the entire match - you've got to get back into it. Same thing on the GMAT. It's just one point - not a big deal.

Notice what I'm telling you here: I'm not telling you not to feel anxiety or not to blank. Those feelings aren't really within our control. :) What is in our control is how we react to them.

Also note that I'm not telling you to try to "fool" yourself into getting rid of the stress. You lower the stress by knowing more about the situation you're actually dealing with. You're going to get a lot of questions wrong. Everyone does - expect it. You're also going to miss some questions that you might get in more calm circumstances. The test is 3.5 hours long and you're not a robot. Again, this happens to everyone. Just don't beat yourself up about it. You really can just say "Oh well!" and move on. (Obviously, you can't do this on every single problem - but a few throughout a section is really NOT a problem, I promise.)

Take a look here for some other ideas on how to deal with stress:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... anagement/

Now, for your next question (how to improve quant).

I'd like to get some more detailed data on your strengths and weaknesses in order to advise you. Use the below to analyze your most recent MGMAT CAT(s):
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... ice-tests/

Then come back here and tell us the results of your analysis and what you think you should do based on that analysis. (Note: do share an analysis with us, not just the raw data. Part of getting better is developing your ability to analyze your results - figure out what they mean and what you think you should do about them!)

[ceulczycki]

Stacey,

Thanks for your reply. I just took another CAT today and got the same score as my initial CAT before starting the class. However, I know my content knowledge has improved. I analyzed the score reports from my two most recent tests, and I think I just need to improve my math knowledge. The geometry and algebra kills me the most. I also seem to give up quickly on those questions because I think I just don't know it, so if I improve the knowledge, hopefully that transfers.

The verbal is more frustrating though- I consistently get 700-800 level problems correct. Even on the score assessment from the recent CATs, the average score level of correct answers is 690. However, my raw score stands at 37. My accuracy seems to tank towards the end, which I'm working on, but I'm also not sure how I can really improve there, especially since I seem to nail the homework.

My test is scheduled for next week, and I'm already planning to take the test twice. However, the lack of progress over the past 9 weeks is hurting my will to continue! How can I improve this?

[StaceyKoprince]

You are progressing; it's just not showing up in the tests yet. It's not unusual to see minimal overall score improvements during the 9-week course. You're tinkering with a bunch of different things and it takes time to pull that all together onto a full test scenario.

Are you taking the real test for the first time just as a trial run, so that you can see what the test center is like, acclimate to the environment, etc? If so, that's a fine idea.

If you're thinking that somehow your score is going to jump big next week and you might not have to take the test a second time... then you should consider cancelling or postponing next week's test. That would just be putting pressure on yourself to achieve something that's very unlikely, and that will likely kill your confidence / morale for some period of time.

At the end of your program, you'll be able to sign up for something called a PCA (post course assessment). This is a 30-min phone call with an instructor to take about a post-course study plan. The instructor will have looked at your practice exams before coming to the meeting. Make sure you sign up for this.

Next, it sounds like mental fatigue issues are affecting your verbal performance. If your performance drops at the end, that will bring your scoring level down. (On this test, where you end is what you get.)

Read this for ideas about how to help manage / reduce mental fatigue:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... you-crazy/

Also note that as things start to come together more on quant, you won't be as tired when you get to verbal.

Have you been doing the essay and IR on your practice tests? How much have you prepared for those two sections? Obviously, we don't care so much about those scores, but we do care about how they might mentally fatigue us before we can get to quant and verbal.

For the essay, read this and do what it says:
http://www.manhattangmat.com/blog/index ... no-thanks/

For IR, study the 4 question types enough that you know what you're supposed to do with each of them. Also, know which kinds of questions are your least favorite / worst. **Skip 1 to 3 of those immediately (random guesses) and spend your time on the other ones that you like better. **Note: I'm suggesting this now because the schools don't care as much about IR right now. If someone reading this in the future wants to do the same thing, you first need to check to see how the landscape may have changed with respect to the importance of IR.

The biggest thing I think you need to do / decide right now: are you sure you want to take the test next week? If you can really view it as a dry run, strictly practice, performance doesn't actually matter because it's not your "real" test (that'll come later), then that's fine. But if you think that it's going to hurt your morale and motivation... then consider giving yourself some additional time. Don't go into it all stressed out and placing crazy pressure on yourself - that's a recipe for a disappointing test experience.

Let me know what you decide!

[ceulczycki]

Thank you for the words of encouragement! When I first signed up for the test, I thought a week after the class ends would be perfect timing. I'm still going to take the test Saturday then retake in a month because the part-time deadlines for my choice schools are in March, and I do want to be able to take the test twice.

I have been taking the essay and IR in practice tests, though have not spent much time on them. The mental fatigue issue is a good reminder- I've noticed my scores on verbal improve when I take notes and spend longer on the questions, especially towards the end.

It seems like in the next month, I need to hyper-focus on quant. I will sign up for the post-course assessment. Thanks for all your advice!

[StaceyKoprince]

you're very welcome - good luck with everything!